TCA’s Elevate: Safety & Security Meeting 2026 Recap

Liam Conroy (TrueNorth Companies), Marc Leggio (Greater Omaha Express), Lee Meier (CAT Scale Company), Michael Reed (Scopelitis Law Firm), Ben Rima (Cottingham & Butler)

 As participants in the Truckload Carriers Association’s Elevate Young Leaders Program, we had the opportunity to attend the 2026 TCA Safety & Security Meeting in Oklahoma City this June. By bringing leaders from the transportation and logistics industry together, this annual meeting offered us and attendees the opportunity to exchange ideas, benchmark best practices, and explore the risks and opportunities shaping the future of trucking safety. Discussions ranged from regulatory and legislative developments to cargo theft prevention, litigation trends, and organizational safety culture.

The meeting kicked off with a regulatory and legislative update from TCA’s Dave Heller before centering around a few key topics, including FMCSA priorities, evolving cargo theft schemes, litigation strategy trends, and overall organizational safety culture.

While each session focused on a different aspect of fleet safety and security, core themes emerged throughout the conference that resonated with our Elevate group.

Technology is transforming fleet safety, but people remain the differentiator.

While artificial intelligence and other new technologies are being used to enhance operations, they are only as valuable as the humans that support it. Fleets that best position themselves for improved safety performance are the fleets able to interpret their data to develop their people, build stronger relationships, and achieve measurable safety improvements. “Trucking and logistics remain a relationship-driven business,” and that is evident in the industry’s approach to adopting AI. Many of the most successful AI implementations demonstrate that artificial intelligence is being used to support employees rather than replace them

The best organizations are proactive, not reactive.

Another recurring theme throughout the meeting was the importance of proactive risk management. Whether discussing cargo theft, FMCSA enforcement, DOT audits, OSHA preparedness, or nuclear verdicts, presenters consistently emphasized the importance of proactive risk management. Opposed to waiting for risk to expose vulnerabilities, the organizations best positioned to navigate the evolving challenges ahead will be the ones continuously strengthening their people, processes, and systems to create a culture capable of adapting to an increasingly complex operating environment. We agree that the most successful safety cultures are built on preparation, continuous improvement, and a willingness to adapt.

The trucking industry’s voice is strongest when it’s engaged.

For us as TCA’s Elevate Young Leader participants, one of the most impactful takeaways was the importance of industry engagement. We left Oklahoma City with valuable insights, new perspectives, and a deeper appreciation for the collaborative spirit that defines the trucking industry. By investing in people, embracing innovation, and remaining actively engaged, our industry is well positioned to meet the challenges ahead and continue building a safer, stronger future for trucking.

As we look forward to TCA’s upcoming events—including the Refrigerated Meeting and the Fall Business Meeting and Call on Washington on September 1–2, 2026—ourselves and members will have additional opportunities to engage directly with decision-makers and advocate for the issues that matter most to trucking. These conversations are critical to shaping policies that support safe, efficient, and sustainable freight transportation. We look forward to seeing you there!